I Know We all Complain

[HappyCamper...Deb 61]

While I agree that some planning and a fair amount of research is a must, don't go overboard.

I'm sure you've heard about the spreadsheet, Disney Ap, people that plan every minute of every day so that they maximize their time.

I see them every day. Gutta go here, gutta go there. Slow down.

Have a rough plan of the major things you want to do and about when you want to do them and then let the rest just happen.

WDW will be here for a while. Stop and enjoy the small things.

I think most (sensible) spreadsheet folk (like me) put together a spreadsheet-o-fun just to pass away the hours, days, weeks, months that come before the actual trip. You'd vomit over my color-coded spreadsheet, Lou. It goes from "set up camp while kids tour FW" to "stroll along the boardwalk to Epcot after the boat from HS" to "enjoy early dinner at lunch prices at Biergarten before processional". It's all about the dreamin' of our big trip.... ^-^

Now, I am NOT a "gotta go" type of person when it comes to follow through at all. Going with the flow when we get there is what I'm all about. (That is as long as we adhere to the Disney data on dining reservations I have noted on my spreadsheet...I mean, come on, you gotta give me that...)

Now, as for apps, I have several for Disney loaded. Trivia to dining information to wait times. What have I really used it for? I'll tell you. About once every day or so, while my DH and I sit and talk about finances, kids, home repair, or the (cold) weather we have, one of us will lighten the mood with "Hey, only a 20 minute wait for Soarin'" or "How about some Canadian Cheddar Cheese soup for lunch?".

I think the Type A crazies you mention are truly a rare breed and will find themselves losing it about an hour or two in to the vacation. :1sm056pullhair:

Most of us spreadsheet and app folk just wanna extend the magic in our own OCD way....

:grill: PS: According to my current spreadsheet, we will be "grilling at our campsite on New Year's Eve" this year. Stop by for a burger. :) You can "head to the marina for fort fun and fireworks" after too.

[Lil Lisa 53]

I'm a compulsive planner... can't help it.

Our first few trips were scheduled practically by the hour because we weren't sure if/when we'd be coming back and we didn't want to miss anything.

But as time went on and we knew we definitely would be coming back, and our trips got longer and longer, the pressure to plan... well ANYthing really, went away.

Now I usually have a loose schedule based around the park hours, and a handful of ADRs for places we know we really want to go to.

Then we get there and I pretty much never look at the schedule again!

I have the Lines app from Touring Plans, so while we're enjoying a leisurely brunch at the campsite (never quite make it up early enough for breakfast) we scan through what's open when (we like evening EMH), what the crowds levels are predicted to be, what sounds like something fun we'd like to do that day, and we wing it!

Not only is it a lot more fun, it also makes us feel like we're actually on VACATION - and not doing a Theme Park marathon.

Having APs really helps too, since park hopping is built in. It gives us the flexibility to do random things like.... go to MK to watch the fireworks, grab a dole whip (of course), poke around some nooks and crannies and leave. Or pop over to Epcot for a meal or HS just for a late night EMH.

These days our trips are fun and relaxing - and a great vacation all around!!

That's us too. I don't think that we have ever made it to a park before noon. We have more fun when we take it at a leisurely pace.

[Discamper 394]

I don’t plan my day when I’m at WDW. I love just hang around the Fort but I do go see Lights Motors Action every day

[alexwyattmommy 181]

I did the over-planning, down to the hour planning on the first trip. I won't tell you what my family called me. It wasn't PC friendly.

The next two I planned daily where to be and general direction to start in to be where we needed for ADRs. Still got called the not so nice name.

This past Thanksgiving, Mommy did NO planning. Not a lick. Drove my family crazy having to decide what to do and if they should go and how come this isn't planned out.

Mommy is now charged with making plans and no more name calling. =)

[Lil Lisa 53]

I don’t plan my day when I’m at WDW. I love just hang around the Fort but I do go see Lights Motors Action every day

EVERY day?? Wow! You must really like that show.

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

I have done the planning thing twice. I have spreadsheets that have spreadsheets (color coded too) ... but I've been to WDW, done the commando style tour, fell in love, and the next time (other than ADRs) I am not planning a durn thing. My husband even made me promise to make my ADRs in a park that we don't start the day in to ensure I use the park hoppers. My only plans are to use EMH to ensure my kids get to ride (with ease and small waits) their favorite rides. Then I'm taking a page out of the TCD WDW Trip book and park hopping! Maybe some resort hoppin too.

We have friends that are often shocked that their little beach spring break trip costs twice as much as our Christmas trip to WDW. (Hotels on the beach aren't always cheap. Sometimes twice as much as full hookups at the Fort.

[Discamper 394]

I don’t plan my day when I’m at WDW. I love just hang around the Fort but I do go see Lights Motors Action every day

Every day for 9 month 14 days

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

My only plans are to use EMH to ensure my kids get to ride (with ease and small waits) their favorite rides. Then I'm taking a page out of the TCD WDW Trip book and park hopping! Maybe some resort hoppin too.

Good for you!

We have the luxury of visiting often enough, that we typically head to a park with very limited plans. We hang around a while, and then head to another park. If a park is busy- we look for something that maybe isn't very popular that we can experience with minimum wait time, or we take in a show that we haven't seen in a while. We kind of just let the day unfold. We have had a lot of fun with this strategy.

Every day for 9 month 14 days

That is amazing. I think we have seen this show maybe all of three times since it opened.

TCD

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

That is amazing. I think we have seen this show maybe all of three times since it opened.

TCD

I've seen it once, for me that was plenty.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

I think most (sensible) spreadsheet folk (like me) put together a spreadsheet-o-fun just to pass away the hours, days, weeks, months that come before the actual trip. You'd vomit over my color-coded spreadsheet, Lou.

That's it exactly!! The planning part just adds to the excitement and helps pass the time until we leave.

Love that I'm not the only color-coded nut out there. I even have a version that you can print out that folds into a tiny little booklet that fits into your wallet. I'll have to create a template of it to share. :)

Although honestly, these days my best park planning tool is my Droid X. Between the Lines app and plugging my ADRs right into my calendar (along with confirmation #s) I'm good to go!

[Total Joker ... TJ 203]

Dorks!! :heart:

[Discamper 394]

TCD I went ever day to see the screw ups. It is one thing Disney doesn’t have a 100% control of. I saw cars get totaled and a lot of other miss haps

[alexwyattmommy 181]

I love the folded schedule idea. The first year, I made credit card sized laminated schedules for everyone to hold on to in their bags. Because you know, my 5 year old at the time, he might want to look at one too. LOL

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

Good for you!

We have the luxury of visiting often enough, that we typically head to a park with very limited plans. We hang around a while, and then head to another park. If a park is busy- we look for something that maybe isn't very popular that we can experience with minimum wait time, or we take in a show that we haven't seen in a while. We kind of just let the day unfold. We have had a lot of fun with this strategy.

That is amazing. I think we have seen this show maybe all of three times since it opened.

TCD

for me and DD once was more than enough. The fire at the end scared her to tears (6 yrs old at the time). DH and DS plan to revisit.

[Starbuc71 162]

Well, living outside the Tampa area, we are the spoiled ones. Being originally from NY, my friends like many of yours I bet say I'm crazy to go to Disney so much and pay the prices we do for a concrete pad and a picnic table. I guess if your not a camper you would not see the fun in the Fort. My best friend and his family are coming to Disney for the first time in April. They have 2 children about the same age as ours (6&3) They are doing the whole shebang. They are staying for 7 days. The Disney reservation specialist talked them into a 6 day hopper pass, dining plans, bipiti bomity crap, pirate leauge and even minature golf package. I did talk them into staying at the french quater to a save a few bucks which I think they will enjoy. I told him he was crazy. But I need to remember most people (not fiends) from up north are lucky to visit Disney once a year or heck once every 5 or ten years so I guess I see thier point for doing everything they can. I have to laugh because my buddy hates crowds. I mean he HATES crowds and also schedules. We are spending 3 days with them on the end of thier vacation. It should be interesting how tired and frustrated he is...lol. We will be at the fort and hopefully we can talk them into coming over and seeing the quiter side of Disney. I will vent about one thing with Disney. We all know they are a cash cow machine. I was kinda upset but should have figured with thier Florida resident promotion 3 parks, 3 days for $99 until May 25th had blackout dates. The dates fall excatly the week my kids are off for spring break (the last week of March) and the week my NY friends are down (the first week of April). These are the typical weeks most Florida scholls have thier SSpring Breaks. What is the use? That really ticked me off. You might as well kick us where it counts. Since the promotion is only good through May 25th, you would think they would give some better lee way. They should take some advice from Busch Gardens and Sea World. they have the best deals for AP with no black out dates and great discounts. That's all I'll complain about today. I'm happy with my $115 a night concrete and rusty grill for the week in March that we are going. Until I can't afford it is when I'll start to be sad or complain. I never in a million years thought I would end up being a semi Disney nut but now I'm pround to be a fiend

[Retired and Happy (Ken) 101]

Some of the previous poster noted the little things about Disney. I think some of TCD's trip reports could provide a lot of opportunity for new adventures, but be wary of some of Yuri's. I am also reminded of the Travels of the Puple Van back in another time and on another board. He posted some really obscure details most of us miss.

[Discamper 394]

I’m a Disney brat my dad was the one of the comptroller for the Florida project. I also work there for 5 years. I was their the first day at the age of tree

[stefa70 205]

I was their the first day at the age of tree

How exactly do your determine the age of a tree? :nahnah:

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

I believe you cut itin half and count the rings. Sounds like it might hurt though so I will keep my age to myself!! :rofl2:

[we3peas 12]

Well since we live just down the road we don't over plan either. We save the brochures and I ask my DD what she wants to do and where, she picks 5 things and we try to hit those but may change on a moment's notice. We usually don't park hop, I have a low tolerance for long days. We usually go for about 4-5 hours only.

Tomorrow we are going to MK just to try the new Sorcerer's game to see what it's all about.

[alexwyattmommy 181]

I really wanted to ask about the tree age, but was afraid I would be too snarky.

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

I really wanted to ask about the tree age, but was afraid I would be too snarky.

Annie, my rule of thumb is, be as snarky as you want but always add a :heart: :rofl2:

[Discamper 394]

How exactly do your determine the age of a tree? :nahnah:

Ask any 3 year old they will say I'm tree

[alexwyattmommy 181]

Unless of course they are tree and a have years old. :rofl2:

[MLM5.. aka Judy 97]

Unless of course they are tree and a have years old. :rofl2:

silly goose